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Not just outside the box, but denying the existence of boxes.
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Reviews

Sussan Deyhim & Richard Horowitz — The Invisible Road (Original Recordings 1985–1990)
(RVNG Intl. RERVNG15, 1990/2024, CD / LP / DL)

Sussan Deyhim / Richard Horowitz — Desert Equations: Azax Attra
(Bandcamp Crammed Discs MTM8, 1986, CD / LP / DL)

by Jon Davis, Published 2025-06-25

The Invisible Road (Original Recordings 1985–1990) Cover artDesert Equations: Azax Attra Cover art

It was more than 25 years ago now that we published a review of Majoun, a fascinating record by Iranian singer Sussan Deyhim and American musician Richard Horowitz. These days, that album is pretty hard to find, and while we can’t help you with that, we’ve got the good news that two other releases by the pair are now available. Desert Equations: Azax Attra originally came out in 1986 as the eighth entry in a series called Made to Measure on Crammed Discs. The eight tracks from the original LP are rearranged in order and supplemented by three other tracks from the same time period. Stylistically, it’s a blending of classic Persian music, 80s New York No Wave, and electronic experimentation. Deyhim’s stunning vocals are supplemented by a wide variety of percussion instruments, synthesizers, and samplers for an intoxicating array of atmospheres and grooves. Most of the pieces feature a large number of overdubbed vocal tracks, and contemporary listeners might think of the work of Björk, Happy Rhodes, and Kate Bush, along with experimental techniques like those of Diamanda Galás and Tanya Tagaq. But don’t expect anything that is grating or difficult to listen to — this music is calming and beautiful, even when the more unconventional sounds appear. Instrumentally, there are echoes of My Life in the Bush of Ghosts, Jon Hassel’s early 80s recordings (Horowitz played in Hassel’s band at times), and Holger Czukay’s work. All in all, it’s a superb album at the intersection of pop and avant-garde, and doesn’t sound at all dated after nearly 40 years.

During the 80s, Deyhim and Horowitz also recorded a lot of other music, though none of it was released at the time. Invisible Road: Original Recordings 1985-1990 collects thirteen tracks which are in a similar vein, all part of their quest to create music “free of any specific cultural reference, with a personal musical signature.” On the more pop-oriented tracks like “Craving Your Embrace,” I’m reminded a little of Danielle Dax’s early work, and some of the Fairlight and Emulator sounds resemble what Kate Bush did on The Dreaming. Deyhim and Horowitz were part of the fertile New York scene of the era, rubbing shoulders with La Monte Young, Jon Hassell, David Byrne, and Brian Eno, and (setting aside questions of who influenced whom) prove themselves worthy of mention beside those names. It’s also worth noting that while early samplers were involved, the splicing and manipulation of tape was also part of the process. Of course, this compilation is less coherent as a piece of work than Desert Equations, but it’s a great listen, and worthy companion to that release.

Filed under: Archives, 2024 releases, 1990 recordings, 1986 releases

Related artist(s): Sussan Deyhim & Richard Horowitz

More info
http://rvng.bandcamp.com/album/the-invisible-road-original-recordings-1985-1990
http://crammed-discs.bandcamp.com/album/desert-equations-azax-attra-made-to-measure-vol-8

 

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